CLUB REVIEW : Tripp’s Plays It Safe--Too Safe--on Westside

If the objective of a club-goer is to meet Mr. or Ms. Right, Century City’s hoity-toity nightclub Tripp’s may hold some attraction. On Saturday nights in particular, the two-tier venue rounds up the singles crowd and begins packing ‘em in like the Harris Ranch stockyards.

In every other way, however, Tripp’s stumbles, fumbles and falters, offering a thoroughly unmemorable night out. All that, after paying a $15-cover charge and $5 for parking.

The problem with Tripp’s is that it plays the club game too safely. From top to bottom, nothing is distinctive about the club. From the generic decor to the even more generic music selection, Tripp’s could be located in Anywhere, U.S.A.

After listening to the main dance floor’s music for an hour, one could only assume that the deejay on Saturdays must be perfectly miserable. The music is so predictable that the owners may as well just pop in a K-Tel tape featuring such ‘80s dance-club standards as the Tom Tom Club’s “Genius of Love,” Grandmaster Flash’s “White Lines” and the Emotions’ “Best of My Love.” Tripp’s really needs to advance its music selection on into the ‘90s and offer a more inspired sampling. Even when songs by contemporary artists are played, again no risks are taken--Arrested Development and Janet Jackson are about as safe as you could pick.

Ultimately, Tripp’s--with its towering doormen and upscale locale--is more pomp than circumstance.

* Tripp’s, 10131 Constellation Blvd., Century City, $15 cover on weekends, varies on weeknights, (310) 288-8022.